Whether you love to sport lash extensions or want your look to have staying power throughout the day, an oil-free eyeliner should be a staple in your makeup bag. Create a range of looks with an oil-free eyeliner without risking skin irritation or damage to your lash extensions. Don’t let the endless number of oil-free eyeliners on the market overwhelm you. I’ve done the research for you! Here’s my list of the 13 best oil-free eyeliners.
The Benefits of an Oil-Free Eyeliner
Before diving into my list, let’s look at why an oil-free eyeliner will be your new best friend. An oil-free eyeliner extends the life of your lash extensions. It’s fantastic for lash extensions as there is no oil in the product to break down the glue of your extensions.
Most importantly, an oil-free eyeliner helps you create a makeup look that will stay put. When you use an oil-free eyeliner, there is no risk of oils warming up on your eyelids which usually leads to the smudging or smearing of your makeup. Another advantage of your makeup staying in place? There won’t be any movement of makeup particles that could lead to eye irritation.
Making the Cut: The Best 13 Oil-Free Eyeliners
I’ve broken down my list of the best 13 oil-free eyeliners into three categories. We’ll look at the best budget-friendly, oil-free eyeliners, the best oil-free vegan eyeliners, and the best oil-free eyeliners to purchase when you need a little indulgence.
The Best Oil-Free Eyeliners That Won’t Break the Bank
#1 Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil
This product does the job! It provides a smooth texture and is easy to apply. At less than $5, the price cannot be beaten. Add a pop of color to your look with this product’s 7 different shades. Sport a bold cat eyeliner look with fun colors like “Tu-Tu Turquoise”. This oil-free eyeliner is free of parabens, fragrance, preservatives, and animal byproducts. It’s available online at Ulta.com.
# 2 Maybelline New York Makeup Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
If you want to create a dramatic look with ease, look no further! This oil-free eyeliner comes with a brush to allow your inner makeup artist to spread its wings. Speaking of wings, this brush is known to bring its A-game when it comes to creating the perfect winged eyeliner. This product is available at Ulta, Walmart, and Rite Aid.
The brush applicator also allows for smudging. You can apply a goth eyeliner look with ease using Maybelline’s Gel Eyeliner!
#3 Almay Intense Liquid Liner
You can use this oil-free liquid eyeliner without a second thought. It’s fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and ophthalmologist-tested. Available in black and brown, this oil-free eyeliner will help you create classic and elegant eyeliner styles or even graphic, emo eyeliner. Makeup lovers rave about this product! “Love this product! I love how it lasted all day!”. You can find this oil-free eyeliner at Ulta, Walmart, and Target.
#4 Revlon ColorStay Skinny Liquid Liner
Create countless looks on a budget with this product’s fine brush tip. Your makeup will last up to 10 hours! This oil-free eyeliner puts you in the driver’s seat to create steady lines that won’t smear and smudge. You can pick up this product in black, navy, or mahogany at Walmart, Target, and Rite Aid.
The Best Oil-Free Eyeliners That Are Vegan-Friendly
#5 KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
This vegan and cruelty-free eyeliner has a rich pigment and a precision applicator. It’s perfect for creating defined lines. This award-winning, oil-free eyeliner has a flexible tip that enables you to create looks ranging from a classic winged eyeliner to edgy, graphic eyeliner looks.
An added bonus? This product’s ultra-fine brushes allow you to make smooth lines that hug your lash line, avoiding any gaps between your eyeliner and lash line. Available in black and chocolate brown, this product is available at Sephora, Ulta, and on KVD Beauty’s website.
#6 Fitglow Beauty Lash Boost Eyeliner
This is another vegan favorite! It’s certified organic and has the benefits of a serum. Another benefit of this oil-free eyeliner is it will improve the look of your lashes over time with its ingredients of plant extracts and peptides. This product is available online on Beauty Heroes and eSkinStore.
#7 Clove + Hallow Line + Define Liquid Eyeliner
Not only is this product vegan and making waves in the “clean beauty” world, but it’s also packaged with sustainable materials. You can be worry-free while using this oil-free eyeliner as it has an ophthalmologist-tested formula that is free of Prop 65 carbon black. Create endless looks in onyx or mocha that won’t flake, bleed, or smudge. Get yours today on Clove+Hallow’s website!
#8 Honest Beauty Black Liquid Liner
Create the perfect look with this vegan and cruelty-free product. Made of clean ingredients, its felt-tip provides flawless precision. Free of parabens, carbon black pigment, and silicones, this oil-free liquid eyeliner is described as a staple for “endless liner looks from a defined thin, fine line to dramatic & bold thick wings in a few effortless strokes.” Reviews from makeup lovers confirm this product is a winner! “I have tried many eyeliners and this one is the best. It is clean and glides on very easily. I have had trouble with eye irritation with other brands that use chemicals and perfumes, but I have zero problem with this brand. Love it!”
#9 Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner
This vegan eyeliner offers highly pigmented colors that set in 30 seconds! This oil-free eyeliner instantly caught my eye because of its 7 different vibrant shades. You can easily shake up your look with an oil-free eyeliner in a plum, moss, navy, slate, black, brown, or chocolate brown. To top it off, this oil-free eyeliner comes equipped with an angled smudge tip for effortless blending.
The Best Go-Ahead-and-Spoil-Yourself Oil-Free Eyeliners
#10 Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen
This oil-free eyeliner is on a whole different level! This eyeliner may break the bank, but if your budget can handle it, this is the ultimate oil-free eyeliner. It has a fine calligraphy tip that can turn anyone into a makeup artist. The reviews say it all. “The calligraphy tip of this eyeliner helps me create a spectrum of transforming effects, from classic, sleek lines to dramatic wing tips or a sultry doe eye.” Available in a rich black shade, this product is available at Sephora, Bloomingdale’s, and online at TomFord.com.
#11 Clé de Peau Beauté Intensifying Liquid Eyeliner
This oil-free eyeliner has 2 unique tip applicators. It’s a great tool to create looks that give your eyes definition. This oil-free eyeliner has a formula that makes it long-lasting and high pigmentation creates rich shades of black and brown. As one fan says “ I love this eyeliner. It goes on so easily. The brushes are fine enough to be very accurate, but not too fine. Plus the weight of the whole device is perfect. Best liquid eyeliner I’ve ever owned hands down.”
#12 Yves Saint Laurent Dessin Du Regard Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
This oil-free eyeliner will give your eyes a splash of intense color that will hold for up to 12 hours. This oil-free eyeliner will give your look a punch of color with warm shades of black, brown, and hunter green. This eyeliner glides on as smooth as butter for easy application.
#13 Chanel Le Liner De Chanel
This eyeliner is a showstopper! It has an ultra-fine, flexible brush that allows you to create the most precise lines with a single application. The reviews of this oil-free eyeliner and its waterproof formula say it all! “This long-lasting liquid brush eyeliner is simply the best there. A fine line is made after one stroke application each and every time.”
Final Thoughts On Oil-Free Eyeliner
Step up your makeup routine with an oil-free eyeliner. Not only will you give your eyelash extensions a longer life, but you can also rock your makeup looks with confidence knowing your makeup won’t budge. No matter what your budget, lifestyle, or brand preference, there is an oil-free eyeliner to suit all your needs.
Hollie McLaughlin-Martin is a freelance writer and associate television producer based in Los Angeles. She is passionate about fashion, writing, and travel. She is an avid world traveler and thinks everyone should try solo traveling at least once!